Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 3556
Decision Date: July 11, 2017
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: Frederick Fok
Student Email: 14ff2@queensu.ca
Course: MATH111
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BIOL 103
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 102
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 102
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 121
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 221
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 281
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: STAT 268
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: STAT 263
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Mr. Fok:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop CISC 102, CISC 121, MATH 221, STAT 268 (F 2016), MATH 111 (FW 2016/17), BIOL 103, CISC 121, MATH 281 and STAT 263 (W 2017) past the academic deadline as well as waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request.
As you already know, the academic requirements in the Faculty of Arts and Science are clearly outlined in the Academic Regulation section of the Calendar. The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling is designed to provide the student with time away from the university to reflect on and remedy the factors impeding their academic success.
The Academic Regulations stipulate that waiving the requirement to withdraw can be considered only where a student€™s academic performance is affected by extenuating circumstances beyond his or her control. The requirement to withdraw is waived only in rare and exceptional circumstances where documentation makes clear that the difficulties are temporary rather than ongoing or that these difficulties have been dealt with in such a way that the student may make a successful return to the university. While it is clear that you experienced a difficult year at university and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance. Additionally, these kinds of extraordinary situations are normally supported by documentation from a professional. While it is clear that you had a difficult year and faced some circumstances that were beyond your control, there is no supporting documentation supplied with your appeal to confirm the timeline and severity of your circumstances and address the specific impact that your circumstances had on your academic studies over the past year. There is also no evidence to show that your circumstances have been resolved or are now being managed in such a way that you can make a successful return to your studies next year. Without this information, I unfortunately cannot grant your appeal.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a year has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. Upon your return we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. In returning to a regular course of study it will be your responsibility to choose courses carefully, seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance, and maintain an average consistent with the requirements for successful completion of your program.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit an appeal to the Board of Studies within 21 days of the date this decision was sent. Guidelines for appealing to the Board of Studies and the appeal form can be found at: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/students-at-queens/academic-appeals (click on €œBoard of Studies€) Do not use the on-line application for this process. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Office of the Ombudsman for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).
Yours sincerely,
Sue Blake
Assistant Dean (Studies)
10170325Fok
Decision Date: July 11, 2017
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: Frederick Fok
Student Email: 14ff2@queensu.ca
Course: MATH111
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BIOL 103
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 102
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 102
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 121
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 221
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 281
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: STAT 268
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: STAT 263
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Mr. Fok:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop CISC 102, CISC 121, MATH 221, STAT 268 (F 2016), MATH 111 (FW 2016/17), BIOL 103, CISC 121, MATH 281 and STAT 263 (W 2017) past the academic deadline as well as waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request.
As you already know, the academic requirements in the Faculty of Arts and Science are clearly outlined in the Academic Regulation section of the Calendar. The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling is designed to provide the student with time away from the university to reflect on and remedy the factors impeding their academic success.
The Academic Regulations stipulate that waiving the requirement to withdraw can be considered only where a student€™s academic performance is affected by extenuating circumstances beyond his or her control. The requirement to withdraw is waived only in rare and exceptional circumstances where documentation makes clear that the difficulties are temporary rather than ongoing or that these difficulties have been dealt with in such a way that the student may make a successful return to the university. While it is clear that you experienced a difficult year at university and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance. Additionally, these kinds of extraordinary situations are normally supported by documentation from a professional. While it is clear that you had a difficult year and faced some circumstances that were beyond your control, there is no supporting documentation supplied with your appeal to confirm the timeline and severity of your circumstances and address the specific impact that your circumstances had on your academic studies over the past year. There is also no evidence to show that your circumstances have been resolved or are now being managed in such a way that you can make a successful return to your studies next year. Without this information, I unfortunately cannot grant your appeal.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a year has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. Upon your return we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. In returning to a regular course of study it will be your responsibility to choose courses carefully, seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance, and maintain an average consistent with the requirements for successful completion of your program.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit an appeal to the Board of Studies within 21 days of the date this decision was sent. Guidelines for appealing to the Board of Studies and the appeal form can be found at: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/students-at-queens/academic-appeals (click on €œBoard of Studies€) Do not use the on-line application for this process. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Office of the Ombudsman for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).
Yours sincerely,
Sue Blake
Assistant Dean (Studies)
10170325Fok
Generated July 11, 2017 at 2:06:57 PM.